'Punish Aug 21 masterminds thru' proper probe'(Rallies held, human chains formed in several dists)

Speakers at rallies in Satkhira, Rajshahi, Khagrachhari and Barisal have demanded punishment to perpetrators and masterminds behind the August 21grenade attack on an Awami League rally in 2004 in Dhaka.

They also demanded action against officials who tried to divert the probe during the BNP-Jamaat government to save the real culprits.
In Satkhira, Jubo League, youth front of the Awami League (AL), formed a human chain and held a rally yesterday demanding arrest and punishment to the culprits including the masterminds, reports our correspondent.
At the rally held at Shaheed Ala Uddin square, speakers said the then four-party alliance government led by BNP-Jamaat did not bring the culprits to justice as elements in the alliance were involved in the incident.
They demanded bringing masterminds behind the attack to justice and immediate arrest of the officials who had plotted 'Joj Mia drama' to cover up the dreadful incident.
They also demanded formation of a special inquiry commission for a fresh probe into it.
They urged the government to declare Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibar Rahman as Father of the Nation.
With Jubo League leader Khondakar Arif Hasan Prince in chair, it was addressed by, among others, former AL lawmaker Monsur Ahmed and district AL General Secretary Nazrul Islam.
Rajshahi University (RU) unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) has urged the caretaker government to take steps for proper investigation into the August 21 grenade attack, reports our RU Correspondent.
Demanding punishment of the attackers, BCL RU unit leaders in a statement on Thursday said the then BNP-Jamaat coalition government had created obstruction to the investigation into the incident.
They warned of launching a tougher movement with general people if the culprits are not punished.
Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology unit of BCL at a rally on the campus demanded proper investigation into the August 21 grenade attack and punishment of the attackers.
At a discussion held at Kumarpara office, the city AL leaders demanded punishment of the attackers and masterminds behind the incident and compensation to the victims' family members.
They also held a special prayer session seeking salvation of the departed souls of party leader Ivy Rahman and other victims of the dreadful attack.
Our Khagrachhari Correspondent reports: District Awami League leaders in a meeting on Thursday demanded proper investigation into grenade attack on their party rally on August 21 in 2004 in Dhaka to ensure punishment of the criminals.
Terming Jamaat-e-Islami as 'sponsor' of all Islamist outfits involved in killings and terrorist acts, they demanded a ban on the politics of the anti-liberation force.
President of Khagrachhari district Awami League Zatindra Lal Tripura presided over the protest meeting held at their party office in the hill town.
Among others, district AL Secretary Mohammad Zahedul Alam, Organising Secretary Mongkaching Chowdhury, District Jubo League Joint Convener Aungsa Marma, district Chhatra League President Mongshi Prue Chowdhury Apu and Secretary Didarul Alam spoke.
Earlier the party formed a human chain in the hill town where several hundred people participated.

Our Barisal Correspondent adds: Barisal district and city Awami League held a meeting at district Bar Association Auditorium on Thursday afternoon demanding fair investigation, speedy trial and punishment of the attackers and the godfathers behind the August 21 grenade blasts. Acting city AL President Muhammad Hossain Chowdhury presided.